Page 91 of Of Blood and Smoke

Jude followed the motion after me, getting a nod from the man assisting us. Someone else came around to the front and waved a hand over the both of us and then retreated. “He does; that hasn’t changed.”

“Has something else changed?” My voice rose as a sick feeling settled in my belly. Jude reached for my wrist, and I snapped my arm away. “Don’t touch me. Tell me what’s going on.”

He snagged my wrist with a lightning-quick motion, and I yelped. My struggle was fruitless, he had me in his iron grip. “You’re a job and I was sent to acquire you. You’ll see Josiah.”

“You lied to me.”

“You heard what you wanted to hear,” he said simply.

He led me through the hall and down a corridor. The interior was busy, men and women strolling back and forth, some appearing busy, and others chattering away in small groups or admiring artwork and other curiosities. The place had the feeling of both a train station and a museum and seemed like a communal hub of some type.

“Where are you bringing me? What are you going to do to me?” I struggled to keep up with his long strides and his fluttering cloak threatened to trip me.

Jude stopped in front of another set of doors, these guarded by soldiers holding massive poles with sword-like ends, the weapons crossed to form an X over the entrance. “I’m not doing anything to you unless ordered to. You are meeting with the Collective. Surely, you’ve heard of them?”

The doors were opened, and Jude strode inside, dropping to his knees with his head bowed. “Kneel,” he hissed at me, out of the corner of his mouth.

Pressing my lips together, I lowered myself to the floor, my heart pounding in my throat.

“You may rise,” a vaguely accented voice declared from the far end of the room.

Slowly, I lifted my head. The room was an architectural marvel crafted from black and deep red stone, with lacquered walls. The swaths of crimson in the flooring almost looked like rivulets of blood, and the air was heavy with authority, striking fear deep within me.

I pressed my hands down and pushed myself up with some effort. My knees had gone weak and senselessly, I wanted to lean on Jude for support even though he was the one who’d delivered me to the belly of the beast.

The man who’d instructed us to rise stood up behind the table where five men were seated. “Della,” he drawled, “how lovely to meet you.” I assumed he was the leader as he was in the center of the group.

He came around from behind the marble slab and stopped about six feet in front of me. “You may leave,” he said to Jude, who bowed his head and exited the room, leaving me alone with the intimidating figure.

“I am Ezra, a friend of Josiah’s. Thank you so much for coming to us and understanding the urgency of the situation. Things turn unpleasant when we have to force an audience, I’m sure you understand.”

I didn’t; I didn’t understand at all. “Where is he? I was told he needed my help.”

“And he does. I’m certain he is on his way.”

Ezra turned to the rest of the members. “I will get Miss DuBois settled in. That is all for today. Come, child,” he said to me, gesturing with his hand toward the doors behind me.

“What is going on?” My feet remained planted where I stood.

Ezra gave me a look of pity and patted me lightly on my back before rubbing it. “I’m sure you’re exhausted; let’s get you to your room.”

An intense wave of fatigue swept over me. He was right, I was pretty worn out and it was way past my bedtime. “Okay.”

With a yawn, I followed him out of the room. He made small talk, asking me random questions about my life such as where I lived, if I enjoyed my job, and if I’d visited the Second Realm before. I answered as best I could, blinking away the water gathered in my eyes from sleepiness.

We came to a stop outside an ornately carved door and Ezra waved his hand, opening it. “You’ll find a change of clothes in here,” he said, glancing at my dress with distaste. He swept into the room, opening a wardrobe cabinet.

The cabinet was filled with what looked like an assortment of gowns and other outfits. “Thank you.” I yawned again. “When will Josiah get here?”

“He’s soon expected,” Ezra said with a smile.

“What am I supposed to help him with?” I asked as I was overtaken by another yawn.

“Why don’t you get some rest? I’ll send for you at mealtime.” The man crossed the room and turned the blankets down on a sumptuous bed. The mattress overflowed with cushion pillows and fluffy, inviting blankets.

The bed beckoned me, and I climbed on, half under the luxurious fabric and half over. “Thank you,” I mumbled, and turned to my side, shoving a hand under my head. Faintly, I heard the door shut.

Swaddling in between the blankets and pillows, I floated away into a deep sleep. There was no way to gauge how much time had passed but at some point, I heard my name being called. “Della, Della,” the voice whispered in my ear.

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